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Incident
Major Paul Ernst was killed in a motorcycle accident while on duty at Capitol Avenue and St. Clair Street. Major Ernst had served with the Marion County Sheriff's Department for nearly 27 years. He was survived by his wife and daughter. In 1991, Major Ernst was a recipient of the Sagamore of the Wabash award.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
26 years. You could have gone home.
Major Ernst gave the Marion County Sheriff's Office 26 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Indianapolis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Major Ernst.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Marion County Sheriff's Department has lost 12 officers; 3 of them lost to accidents.
Paul is one of 151 officers lost to accidents in IN, 30% of the 503 remembered there.
Paul is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Paul is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1992, 1 officer in IN was lost to accidents, the 47th heaviest of 85 years on record. The heaviest was 1942, with 4.
In 1992, 60 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 73rd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1992, 73 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 70th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Paul was 55. Of the 149 lost to accidents in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 47; the middle age was 36. Paul had served 26.9 years; the middle length of service was 4.6 years.
Paul was 55. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Paul had served 26.9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Paul was 55. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Paul had served 26.9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 7.3% of these deaths in IN; December holds the most, 11.3%. Saturdays: 15.2%.
March holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
March holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 14.7%.
How
Accident deaths account for 25% of all 12 deaths at Marion County Sheriff's Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 503 deaths in IN, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Marion County Sheriff's Department has 12 officers remembered here, Paul among them.
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Edward G. Byrne
Apr 16, 1961
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Jimmie Van Wingate
Jun 14, 1970
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Floyd Thomas Settles
Feb 24, 1972
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Robert C. Atwell
Nov 7, 1972
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Terry L. Baker
Jan 2, 1981
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Gerald L. Morris
Jan 2, 1981
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Thurman Earl Sharp
Dec 25, 1988
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Arvin E. Kays
May 26, 1990
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Paul Joseph Ernst
Mar 21, 1992
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Jason Matthew Baker
Sep 17, 2001
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Kay Carolyn Gregory
May 10, 2002
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John Durm
Jul 10, 2023
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 50-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Marion County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
